Doug Norman
One of the greatest indicators that we are growing in our relationship with God is our willingness to love. God is love! Love is not just something He does, it's what He is! In Matt. 22: 37-40, Jesus sums up all moral obligation with one word - Love. We are called to love God and love people. In order to properly do this we must have a deep seated trust in God as our source of provision, strength and power to do it!
Jesus reveals the fullness of God's love for humanity, those that are followers of Jesus have been commanded to follow Him into the depths of God's love for others. He calls us to express this love in ways that are beyond our natural ability, so that it will stand as a testimony to the world of the reality of God.
No Christian was ever expected to make it on their own - we were never intended to be on an island! If we isolate ourselves from other believers, we become an easy target of the enemy. However, if we allow good men and women of God to surround us, God will use them to replenish us with strength and hope!
According to Psalm 133, the end result of brethren dwelling together in unity is God's commanded blessing of life. If there was ever a time in which life should be flowing from the church - it's now! Life that flows to our homes, schools, places of work and our community. It will happen as believers choose to walk in agreement together , rallied around Jesus Christ!
As this sermon series is concluded, we are left with this truth: regardless of how difficult or fearful our circumstances may be - we can still hear God's voice! As we have learned, God speaks in many different ways but He is always bringing strength and guidance to His people!
Jesus promised that after He had ascended to His Father that they would send the Holy Spirit to empower the church. On the day of Pentecost believers were "baptized" in the Holy Spirit and were equipped for service. As followers of Christ we should still be seeking to be full of the Holy Spirit. We must also guard against quenching His guidance and influence.
During the "Last Supper" Jesus told His disciples that He would soon be leaving. During the last three and a half years, Jesus had been their leader. He had traveled with them, ate with them, defended them and taught them but now he would be gone! Nevertheless, this would be to their advantage because Jesus would send "another comforter" which is The Holy Spirit! God speaks through the Holy Spirit!
In His sermon on the mountain, Jesus teaches us what life as a christian is all about. In Matthew chapter 6 He lays out 3 christian duties: Give, Pray and Fast. All three are to be done with sincere motives and all 3 are ways of making God our number one priority. As we give generously, pray sincerely, & fast with purpose our lives will be built on solid ground!
The clearest and most direct way that God speaks to us is through His son Jesus! The life and ministry of Jesus is the gospel or "Good News." Through Christ, God tells us; He loves us, He wants to walk in relationship with us, and that He will be our God!!! But who will hear His voice?
Hearing God speak may mean different things to different people. God treats each of us as unique children and He does not "speak" the same way to all of us. Regardless of the way God chooses to reveal himself, He will never contradict His Word and what He speaks will bring glory to His name. We are to seek an intimate relationship with Him - He will reveal His heart to us!
